The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-04-09

ciated in all OF the larger towns OF Central and
/ Eastern Ohio.
| In the public measures OF tho day Mr.. God.
dard took an active part. His advice and en-.
| couragcmcnt were largely. instrumental in caus-
| Ing tho construction OF the canals, the building
| OF the Central Ohio railroad, and the Muskin-
| gum Valley railroad.
| Mr. Goddard was master of military tactics,
and would have been an carly volunteer on the
| side OF the Union In the war OF the rebellion
| had his health permitted him to enlist. His life
was devoted to the law, and 1t was not the plan
| OF Providence for him TO stray from his profess
sion. He was engaged in the practice OF law
until within one week al his death, which took
| place on the lst of February 1864
Judge II. N. Harrison, of Columbus in speak
| ing Of him. said, after paying high tribute to
his professional ability. land he was the soul Of
honor"
An anecdotc illustrating the legal life fifty
years ago has been put into my bands, and is
here committed to print for tho first time
The competition of the Bar was very sharp, and
no lawyers lost an opportunity to take advan-
tage OF his opponents. 1t was In the days when
all the lawyers practced through long circuits,
comprising several counties. They rode on
horseback from place to place, carrying their
books, papers and often their meals In huge
suddlebags.
About 1890 it happened that Charles B. Cod
dard and Thomas Ewing, of Lancaster, were
engaged Us opposing counsel in an important
case ut Marietta which involved large amount
OF money. The fec would have been q large
one for Ewing had he gained the case, and
rather small for Goddard II he lost it. Much
time was given to the preparation for the trial
by both attorneys II was the spring term Of
the Washington County court OF common pleas
when the case was set for trial. Ewing had ar.
ranged that Goddard should meet him ut
his home in Lancaster. At the time set God.
lat lnft unr too l...A
the way he stopped n short time to try small
case before justice Of the peace, which delay
cd him unduly, and consequently he was consid-
erably behind time in arriving at Lancaster.
Upon reaching that town he learned that Ewing
had departed three hours before, leaving for
Goddard his apology for not waiting his advent,
and said that he would wait for him ut certain
place where he expected to stop at noon. This
stopping place was most beautiful small
natural grove. Nature could not have desired
more desirable spot to tarry short time for
rest and refreshment
When Goddard approached this stopping.
place he noticed his old friend Ewing in "a
rather peculiar position for rest and refresh
ments. Dismounting and tying his faithful
old stced he quietly slipped up from behind
the large forest trees. Taking up u position
Ewing. in order to hear him unperceivcd, he
saw Ewing take from his saddlc.bags his law
books, papers and briefs and deposit them
on large log. Then casting his
eyes about to see il any one was near by he
commenced his line Of argument for the great
case that was to be heard the next day. Ad.
dressing large tree, he said. IF your honor
pleases," and then went on hastily passing in
brief through the entire case and rehearsing all
the points he expected to make During this
time Goddard was absorbing in the whole case
and learned how Ewing proposed to manage
it, At the conclusion Of his argument Ewing
looked about and not seeing hearing any
thing of his tardy friend placed the saddle
bngs across the horses's back and proceeded on
his way to Marietta.
After while Goddard followed him, hut did
not arrive in Marietta for some two or three
hours after Ewing reached there. Matters went
on in us pleasant and agreeable manner as ever,
no allusion being made to the trip,
The next day the trial came on. Ewing was
badly defeated by Goddard. who knew just
what his argument would be, and therefore
took all the wind from his sails by loosely re.
peating it. The next day, when they had ar
rived at the place for rest and refreshments and
the inner man supplied, Goddard arose from the
log upon which they were seated and taking
some books and papers from the saddle bags,
proceeded in similar address to the big tree.
This was too much for Ewing: he at once saw
the error he had made, and congratulating God
dard upon his good fortune in the case, he asked
him never to tell the circumstance to any one.
For years Goddard kept the secret, when, in the
iui VI the year, iofouHu uurlIle tne Breht pOnt-
ical campaign, Ewing Tom Corwin, Governor
Lctchcr, Marshall OF Kentucky. and. several
prominent gentlemen being present and taking
dinner Mt the house Of General Goddard.
The repast being over. the old fellows com.
menced a series of stories and jokes. Goddard,
looking across the table to his old friend Ewing
and giving Tom Corwin wink he said Gen
tlemen, have something to tell about Tom
Ewing" But Ewing anticipating what Goddard
would say, begged OF him not to repeat
his open-air plea to the big oak tree. But Cod
dard told the joke. and such an outburst of
laughter and merriment never was or has been
since heard in the Goddard mansion.
And this is the way the incident was made
public and in the foregoing manner it was re.
lated by Mr.. Goddard to VIM. Culbertson, who
gave it to the writer.